Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Lesson 1
Life Cycle of A Butterfly
Subject
Science and Social Studies
Materials
Smart board, markers, student journals
Sunshine State Standard(s)
S.C.1.N.1.3: Keep records as appropriate- such as written records- of investigations conducted.
S.S.K.A.1.1: Develop and understanding of how to use and create a timeline.
S.C1.E.6.3: Recognize that some things in the world around us happen fast and some happen slow.(metamorphosis)
Content Objective
After viewing a video on and discussing metamorphosis, students will apply their knowledge and assemble a timeline based on their recorded notes of the larva becoming a butterfly. Their final timeline will be completed in chronological order and contain at least 3 out of the 4 stages of a butterfly.
Language Objective
After watching a video and recording notes, students will write the stages of the life cycle of a butterfly.
Key Vocabulary
Metamorphosis
Chrysalis
Cocoon
Migrate
Building Background/Motivation
Watch an educational, detailed video on a butterfly’s life cycle to get students excited about the lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk
Procedures
1. Before beginning the unit there will be a butterfly word wall with all vocabulary and concepts clearly defined in simplest form (only a few words). Visuals will accommodate each vocabulary word. Students will be given time to walk around and get a preview of the unit vocabulary along with the visuals provided.
2. Explain to students that today we will be learning about the metamorphosis of a butterfly. The objective will be clearly stated, gone over, and written on the board for students to refer back to. After watching the video on the life cycle, go in to detail about how long each stage takes (write on the board or overhead the time frames): the egg after being laid hatches in about 4 days, then it’s a caterpillar for about 2 weeks, next it grows inside its Chrysalis or (cocoon) for about 10 days. Have students keep records of this information in their journals as you write down this info on the smart board and explain it. Go slow and allow students to raise their hands so you can answer any questions they may have. Go into further detail about how long a butterfly lives and explain to students that there are four generations of butterflies a year, the first 3 generations only live for about 2-6 weeks but the 4th generation is laid around Sept/Oct and migrates south to live for 6 to 8 months. They migrate to Mexico or Southern California to begin awakening and mating in February/March of the next spring. They lay their eggs, then die and the process of generations start over.
3. Next, (since the timeline benchmark is a kindergarten benchmark they should already know what it is and how to make one, but students may need some reminding) so, have them create a timeline (with help as needed) using the notes they took on: from once the egg is laid till it hatches, once the caterpillar hatches till it forms into its’ chrysalis, how long it’s in its chrysalis until it comes out as a butterfly.(Estimates are fine since the times vary a bit, as long as it is in the appropriate range.) (The purpose of this timeline is for students to understand that some things in the world happen fast and some things happen slow.) They will be able to see this as they create their timelines.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes/Objectives
Students will use their notes on the stages of a butterfly to assemble a precise timeline including at least 3 out of the 4 complete stages.
Furthermore, by creating the timeline and having paid attention and taken notes, students will be able to recognize that the process once a female butterfly lays an egg till that egg becomes a butterfly, is a slow process, it takes time.
Closure
Discuss their timelines and anything that they may notice about them.
If there is additional time, have students label a life cycle wheel printed from: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordwheels/lifecycle/butterfly/
This is another great way for students to visually see this concept.
Accommodations and Modifications for ELLs
They may have butterfly life cycle printouts that are in their native language.
Available on the website: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/activities/printouts/
Instead of having them take notes, have the notes already printed out for them with visuals. If they are a level 1 or 2, they may have their notes in their native language provided.
Print the worksheets in the student's native langauage and in English.
Accommodations and Modifications for ESE
Instead of having them take notes, have the notes already printed out for them.
Have the timeline already made for them just have them fill in what goes where, event and date wise.
Possible Connections to Other Content Areas
Speech: Learn to say butterfly and other butterfly vocabulary in other languages using this website: http://www.thebutterflysite.com/butterfly-different-languages.shtml
Reading/Literature: “ The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by : Eric Carle is a great book to enhance this lesson/unit.
Life Cycle of A Butterfly
Subject
Science and Social Studies
Materials
Smart board, markers, student journals
Sunshine State Standard(s)
S.C.1.N.1.3: Keep records as appropriate- such as written records- of investigations conducted.
S.S.K.A.1.1: Develop and understanding of how to use and create a timeline.
S.C1.E.6.3: Recognize that some things in the world around us happen fast and some happen slow.(metamorphosis)
Content Objective
After viewing a video on and discussing metamorphosis, students will apply their knowledge and assemble a timeline based on their recorded notes of the larva becoming a butterfly. Their final timeline will be completed in chronological order and contain at least 3 out of the 4 stages of a butterfly.
Language Objective
After watching a video and recording notes, students will write the stages of the life cycle of a butterfly.
Key Vocabulary
Metamorphosis
Chrysalis
Cocoon
Migrate
Building Background/Motivation
Watch an educational, detailed video on a butterfly’s life cycle to get students excited about the lesson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AUeM8MbaIk
Procedures
1. Before beginning the unit there will be a butterfly word wall with all vocabulary and concepts clearly defined in simplest form (only a few words). Visuals will accommodate each vocabulary word. Students will be given time to walk around and get a preview of the unit vocabulary along with the visuals provided.
2. Explain to students that today we will be learning about the metamorphosis of a butterfly. The objective will be clearly stated, gone over, and written on the board for students to refer back to. After watching the video on the life cycle, go in to detail about how long each stage takes (write on the board or overhead the time frames): the egg after being laid hatches in about 4 days, then it’s a caterpillar for about 2 weeks, next it grows inside its Chrysalis or (cocoon) for about 10 days. Have students keep records of this information in their journals as you write down this info on the smart board and explain it. Go slow and allow students to raise their hands so you can answer any questions they may have. Go into further detail about how long a butterfly lives and explain to students that there are four generations of butterflies a year, the first 3 generations only live for about 2-6 weeks but the 4th generation is laid around Sept/Oct and migrates south to live for 6 to 8 months. They migrate to Mexico or Southern California to begin awakening and mating in February/March of the next spring. They lay their eggs, then die and the process of generations start over.
3. Next, (since the timeline benchmark is a kindergarten benchmark they should already know what it is and how to make one, but students may need some reminding) so, have them create a timeline (with help as needed) using the notes they took on: from once the egg is laid till it hatches, once the caterpillar hatches till it forms into its’ chrysalis, how long it’s in its chrysalis until it comes out as a butterfly.(Estimates are fine since the times vary a bit, as long as it is in the appropriate range.) (The purpose of this timeline is for students to understand that some things in the world happen fast and some things happen slow.) They will be able to see this as they create their timelines.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes/Objectives
Students will use their notes on the stages of a butterfly to assemble a precise timeline including at least 3 out of the 4 complete stages.
Furthermore, by creating the timeline and having paid attention and taken notes, students will be able to recognize that the process once a female butterfly lays an egg till that egg becomes a butterfly, is a slow process, it takes time.
Closure
Discuss their timelines and anything that they may notice about them.
If there is additional time, have students label a life cycle wheel printed from: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordwheels/lifecycle/butterfly/
This is another great way for students to visually see this concept.
Accommodations and Modifications for ELLs
They may have butterfly life cycle printouts that are in their native language.
Available on the website: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/activities/printouts/
Instead of having them take notes, have the notes already printed out for them with visuals. If they are a level 1 or 2, they may have their notes in their native language provided.
Print the worksheets in the student's native langauage and in English.
Accommodations and Modifications for ESE
Instead of having them take notes, have the notes already printed out for them.
Have the timeline already made for them just have them fill in what goes where, event and date wise.
Possible Connections to Other Content Areas
Speech: Learn to say butterfly and other butterfly vocabulary in other languages using this website: http://www.thebutterflysite.com/butterfly-different-languages.shtml
Reading/Literature: “ The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by : Eric Carle is a great book to enhance this lesson/unit.